Dover couple and teenage daughter found dead in home after domestic violence incident
DOVER - A couple and their teenage daughter were found dead in their home in Dover, Massachusetts Thursday night in what investigators said was "a deadly incident of domestic violence."
Police were called to the large house at 8 Wilsons Way just before 7:30 p.m. They said a relative stopped by to check on the family, saw someone dead and called 911.
At a news conference Friday, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey said 57-year-old Rakesh Kamal, his 54-year-old wife Teena and their 18-year-old daughter Arianna Kamal were found dead in the home. He would not say how they died, but confirmed a gun was found next to Rakesh Kamal.
"I don't know who it was registered to at this time, that's part of the ongoing investigation. We will not tell you at this time where it was found, but it was found near the husband, I'll just leave it at that," Morrissey told reporters.
The district attorney said Arianna Kamal was a student at Middlebury College in Vermont and that the family had relatives "here and abroad." Arianna Kamal graduated from Milton Academy in 2023 and the school issued a statement saying they were "heartbroken."
"Aria was a sweet, smart, kind young woman who was just beginning to realize her full potential. Her mother, Teena, who served as president of our Upper School Parents' Association, was a committed and caring advocate for both parents and students at Milton. This is a devastating loss to our community. We are making counseling and grief support available to students, parents and faculty who may need support as they process this incredibly sad news," the school said, in part.
"She was connected and engaged in class, and passionate about everything she did. She was a beautiful writer and always did things 110 percent. She was a deeply spiritual person and dove into the material in the first-year seminar course," said Melissa Hammerle, one of Arianna Kamal's professors at Middlebury College.
Teena Kamal served as an American Red Cross board member and volunteer. In a statement the organization said they're "...deeply saddened by the tragedy in Dover. Teena Kamal served on our regional Board of Director and served as vice-chair of our Massachusetts Tiffany Circle. Our hearts go out to their loved ones during this devastating time."
Morrissey said there was no sign of a break-in and there had never been any issues at the home before.
"There's been no police reports, there's been no problems, no domestic issues, no nothing at that house or in the entire neighborhood that I'm aware of," Morrissey said.
"Although the investigation is at a very preliminary stage, the evidence available at this time does not indicate the involvement of any outside party, but suggests that this is a deadly incident of domestic violence. It is not believed that there is any ongoing danger to the Dover community related to this incident," David Traub, a spokesman for Morrissey, said in a statement before the news conference.
According to Dover town records, the Kamal's property is valued at $5.45 million. When asked if there was a lien on the home, Morrissey said, "I'm not familiar with any of the financial situation."
According to Dover town records, the Kamal family was facing financial struggles leading up to the violence after their home was foreclosed upon in 2022.
"That foreclosure occurred after the parties had already attempted some sort of modification of their mortgage which suggests that they were having financial difficulty for quite some time," said legal analyst Jennifer Roman. "It's not unusual that they were still in the home, but the property was definitely no longer in their names."
Jennifer Roman said domestic violence can stem from money struggles.
"Unfortunately, it's quite common where a family is having financial distress and one of the family members ends up taking the lives of their family and then themselves," Roman said.
Morrissey said the last murder in Dover was back in 2020.
"It's very rare to have this kind of violence or situation almost in any community in Norfolk County, particularly Dover," he said.
Neighbors in Dover and the surrounding communities are devastated. "Pretty shocking to hear an 18-year-old and her parents lost their lives," said Ricci Cucchiella of Dover.
The district attorney said anyone who doesn't feel safe in a relationship should call 988 or the Mass SafeLink Domestic Violence Hotline at 877-785-2020.
